Vol 3 Chapter 3 (1/2)

“Ah, bring that over here!”

Altina suddenly said

“Your Highness, if you keep et messy”

“Hmm, don’t you feel that this headdress is cute?”

“Yes, yes Please be seated in front of the mirror Do not move around until your hair is done”

“Umm”

It was the afternoon of the second day since they arrived at the capital——

The capital Founding anniversary was about to start The streets were filled with festivity while the palace was also doing their last touch up

However, it was a battlefield to Altina To be exact, it was a battle in which Clarisse was helping to groom Altina’s hair

“Clarisse, I still think that that colour accessory looks nicer here”

Altina was in a dilereen or the yellow hair accessory

“As expected, Clarisse’s opinion was not worth asking”

“Ara, what a shame”

Altina asked the figure which was reflected in the mirror

“Regis, which one do you think is nicer?”

“Rather than worrying about that, I feel that we should worry about the fact that the banquet is about to start in 10 minutes”

The banquet was scheduled to begin in the afternoon at 4 o’clock

“Really… Ah, Eric, what do you think?”

Eric, as dragged in, looked carefully

“How beautiful…”

“Although it feels like a sly answer, but thanks anyway”

“Ah! S,sorry, it is perfect…”

Seeing this, Clarisse jokingly said,

“Why don’t you try out the dress?”

“Ehh! Ah, no, I,I’m a man…you tease , Aha,ahahaha…”

For a moment, Eric seems to reveal an envious look

I s

Evrard, as both the head of the Blanchard house and the grandfather of Eric, told Regis that Eric who had no brothers, had been following the family rules strictly ever since his father died in the war

Eric replied frantically after hearing what Regis muttered

“R,really? Does that dress really suit me?!”

“Eh? Ahh, yes…”

“Is that so? H,how troublesome…”

“Why…”

“I,if Regis really~~ wants me to wear it, it’s not…”

“I absolutely will not say that!?”

On the other hand, Clarisse was happily laughing

“How terrible, Your Highness, Regis is heading towards a dangerous path of no return”

“Yes, however, only a narrow-minded person will interfere with the subordinate's preference Well, I’ll just close my eyes on this, I really will not speak of this, really!”

“ I won’t cross that line!”

“Please spare me, Clarisse”

Tiis

“Ah… It’s al to be troublesome if we don’t leave now”

“Nn, I’m done here too”

Clarisse raised both her hand and said

Altina stood up unsteadily as she was not used to the dress

The crimson hair coupled with the dark dress

Coupled with the dark dress, the hair band, wavy and pleated, is like a blosso crimson hair

Regis went silent after seeing the snohite skin of her neck, torso and chest area

“ “

“Why? Does it feels weird?”

“Eh? Ah, i,it’s very beautiful…”

“Ah, It’s almost time”

“Eh~ Say it one h”

“ it’s almost time”

“Not this sentence!!!”

I knohat sheto say it out loud

Today’s banquet was hosted by the ceremony’s department Only those ere invited could enter and were mostly nobles

Regis came to the palace as Altina’s aide, hence he was not invited Therefore, Clarisse and hi room

The safety of the people attending the event were the responsibility of the iuards, it is the same for Eric as an escort

Altina as done with her is’ head and pondered

“Don’t you think that it’s better for you to gel your hair?”

“It’s unnecessary since I’ it”

“I see, but since it’s a rare occasion, it’s fine to gel it a bit”

“Ara? Aren’t you going to accompany me in”

“If I were to follow you in, I’ll stand out like a mountain Attendance of this event is by invitation only”

“Even so, you are also invited”

“ What did you just say?”

Altina showed a face as if it was normal and said,

“Although the depart the banquet are allowed to bring another companion Aside fro their relatives or friends to attend”

That remindsan event in the palace brought their friends along

Never once did I dream that I will be one of those people

“ … Do I need to attend? To a event with only nobles or the royalty?

“Of course”

“ … Even if you say so suddenly, I…”

“You can’t?”

“I wasn’t prepared for this Besides, I don’t have suitable clothing”

“There’s no problem” Clarisse said as she opened the suitcase

“I thought thisyour ceremonial clothes”

“Since when?!”

“Isn’t it fine? As expected of Clarisse Regis, quickly go and change your clothes”

“But the banquet has already started”

While he was talking, the fanfare could be heard from the distance

However, Altina did not seem to care at all

“It’s fine to be late a little Besides, the royalty tends to go slightly later”

“ I see”

There was no helping to it since things have became this way

With no other option, Regis changed from his military uniform to his ceremonial full dress uniform

Ever since Regis was exiled to Beilschi the teais wore full dress uniforned to the borders

Like the other nobles in the capital, Marquis Thenezay will invite friends over to his mansion and host a banquet

He was known not just for his extravagant behaviour, but forrelations with the nobles

nobles that bankrupted their family wealth because of their vanity was not unheard of

Some nobles ere self-conscious would stop their wasteful behaviour to avoid ridicule from others However, there are also some ould increase taxes and oppressed the citizens instead

“That’s why I do not like to attend this kind of events…”

“Well, I’ll not force you if you really can’t”

Regis and the rest were already at the corridor at this point

Altina as beside Regis checked him out

A green uniforolden lock-shape accessory at the chest At the waist was a red cloth hanging down, acting as a gar, it looked very stylish If one wore this to the battlefield, he would definitely draw the attention of the enemies

Altina lightly elbowed Regis

“ My shoulders aren’t broad and I’ood as you said If I wore soht be better”

“Do you want medals? If so, why not apply for it? It should be fine if you apply for it”

“Well, this kind of medals should be heavy, that would et it”

“Ahaha, that way of dis amilitary uniform, why not try the dress froht even like it”

As Altina skipped around, the frills on her dress swayed along with her

How cute, hat Regis thought He never thought about wanting to wear such dress, which was a relief

“ Thanks but no thanks… Although I do not like such events, but it’s a good opportunity to see Latreille’s scheence is necessary”

“There’s nothing better than that”

“ However, I’ the banquet, which isme anxious”

“Don’t the books you read have anything about the etiquette in such events?”

“Ahh, in that case it’s fine, because I’ood in it too”

“Even though your e”

”That's because the dance instructor kept getting'yourrequires working together with your partner, synchronizing both of your breathing is the hness kept getting tossed around? Men are not the swords in your hands, alright?'”

“I see… It’s because the difference in are In that case, isn’t it better if the royalty teach you? Doesn’t the royalty excel in this?”

“Latreille is uste seldo such events”

“What did prince Bastian do?”

“ … Well, a lot of things happened”

I kind of sympathise with the emperor, his children are all kinds of trouble

As they got closer to the venue, the sound of ot louder

At all of the entrances to the venue, there were old butlers verifying the invitation

One look and people could tell that this was not a place civilians can enter Regis’ heart was beating fast

Noticing that it was Altina, all the butlers bowed and then announced her arrival

“Her Royal highness, 4th princess of Belgaria, Marie Quatre Argentina de Belgaria~”

All of a sudden, theand the venue fell silent, all of their eyes looked towards them

One year ago, she was a princess borned by a co

Now, she had becolory of battle

Altina entered the noisy venue without any hesitation, Regis followed behind her

“Argh…”

“Why are you glancing around, did so happens? If you’re thirsty, drinks will be served later”

“ This feels like another world with nobles everywhere, just like those in the theater”

“Just that? What’s so interesting about that?”

“You can’t really say that”

Although many of the attendees had yet to show up, but there was at least 100 nobles at the venue socialising as of now

Located at the central of the south, a large reception hall was used as the banquet hall The roof was even higher than the city wall and there weredown, it looked as if the roof was a starry sky

The walls were covered with floral pattern wallpaper while the couches were covered with a soft carpet

At the front of the banquet hall was a podium that looked like those at a theater while the e Tables filled with fine cuisine were located close to the walls There were also six counters, each with a souests At the back of the hall was a resting area filled with sofas

Frorance of rose

This fragrance arden

The orchestra located at one corner was perfor

Altina glanced around the hall

“Latreille seeuste here? Ah… That woman is here too”

At the centre of a crowd, there was girl wearing a fanciful sparkling dress

She was the one that the emperor recently married

The 6th concubine

Johaprecia Octovia Fon Estaburg

Because she was aria

Originally a Estaburg princess, she had deep diploaria

The eastern doaria for about 100 years Back then, the rulers of that area surrendered to the Empire before any war started and was bestoith nobility

Incidentally, other eastern rulers that opposed the Empire were either sentenced to death or exiled

Though there was no clear demarcation, the nobles that occupied those territories were referred as the ”New nobles”, and were a target of scorn and discrimination by the countrymen and nobles

Johaprecia showed-off the large ge her

“Ohoho, His Majesty gave ift em”

“Oohh, as expected of His Majesty”

“I have enough necklaces though, I willelse next time”

“Your Highness, what do you think about earrings?”

Johaprecia laughed loudly, the nobles surrounding her laughed along too

Regis muttered to himself,

——Looks like the ru pampered is true

If one looked carefully, they will realise that the nobles were split into their factions

Auguste’s faction ——Headed by the 2nd concubine Catherine, her family, duke Trouin’s house and their supporters This were the Empire oldest nobles, especially nobles who held lands in the west, however they were lacking in financial and th

Latreille’s faction —— With the e the central nobles who held lands in the capital, they have a large presence in the military

Someone bowed to Altina

He was a entleman

It was the rules of the nobles not to speak first in front of the royalty If Altina did not speak first, the conversation would not start In this case, Altina did not have a reason to ignore him

“Erm… hello”

“That will be rather rude, Your Highness, isn’t this your first ti him?”

“Ahh, pleased to meet you”

The other party seemed to be an Earl that had territory at the southwest borders, ru that must consulted with Altina

Altina had been ignoring reet others

Regis felt nervous watching this scene

nobles that have the saather around Altina in circles

Some of the nobles are “New nobles” while some seemed to have information on the other factions These people were termed as the neutrals

With this, it should be enough to form the third faction

Even so, the topic for the conversation see about any news

Regis closed in to Altina and whispered

“Eh? Regis?”

“Yes?”

“Ah, no, it’s nothing, thanks for your hard work”

“Yeah”

Feeling that this tie her usual indifferent attitude

While holding a wine glass, Regis moved towards the centre of the hall

Fro ho, this was how intelligence was gathered

Because Regis did not knoas worth looking into, he went to borrow the guest list fro the excuse of checking whether any friends of his came

Inforet was easily obtained here

Duke Trouin’s house which the 2nd concubine Catherine was froreed to come, but they had not turned up yet

There were other absentees that did not infor shots

“Ah!”

Beside Altina’s nais felt weird seeing this

Once again, he felt the dissonance of this event and him

After thanking the staff, he returned the list to them

After which, Regis continued to gather intelligence at the hall that he needed

“Ah! Sir Regis!”

Hearing this fais knew that he was the one he debated with on the carriage

“ Good evening, Sir Germain”

“Welcois, no matter what, this time you’re the hero”

“ It’s thanks to Her Highness’ effort, I was just lucky to work under her Moreover, I’hness attendant”

“Is that so? Just now, there were soirls that wanted to know about you”

Regis looked towards the direction Ger over here with an embarrassed smile

In this age, conveying their feelings using the fan like that, was known as “Language of Fan” was popular a the noblewomen

Using the left hand to hold the fan in front of the facethe fan meant “I want to talk to you”

Regis turned his line of sight away frohed

——Did those noblewoe this?

Regis had been undoubtedly believed that he himself would not receive admiration from the ladies

Latreille’s oals of his were irls to seduce and confuse s as an excuse to trick me

No matter what methods you use, I will not fall for it

“ I’irls”

“Ohoh… I see, so it’s that…”

Germain deliberately blinked his eyes

“I,I,I don't mean that, don’t misunderstand”

Regis suddenly was shaken As expected of Latreille’s closest aide

“Well, I only wanted to help you establish good relations”

“ It’s my honour”

“His Highness Latreille said that he was very worried about last night”

“Eh?”

Regis was surprised hearing these words To win, Latreille proposed to Altina and used force, Regis thought Latreille should be more pleased instead

“On the surface, he looked strong, however, he is fragile e whether if he had overdone things and was quite depressed”

“ Is that so?”

“Even so, it’s not the right tiain”

“Yeah, perhaps after some time”

“I think that next ti What do you think?”

“Me? With the prince and princess?”

“If it’s possible, tonight…”

Before Germain could finish his words, a loud voice interrupted him

“—— Good evening to everyone!”

As his words was interrupted, Germain unhappily looked towards the direction of the voice

There was an elegant old e covered with red carpet There were a few people standing around him

Germain smacked his lips and said

“Hmph, a new noble…”

“Who is that?”

“He’s the “New nobility” Duke Tiraso Laverde, owning a large plantation at the southern territory He is one of those cowards that surrendered before the Empire invaded them”

“ I see”

As an opposition of the Eth was pointless

After opening the parchlance of the hall

A woman who dressed like a black-coloured bird, as both her hair and dress was pitch black Because of the veil she earing, one could not see her face clearly, however, they could feel her exuding an unapproachable aura

She turned and left after nodding

Seeing this, Tiraso Laverde began reading from the parchment

“We, the nobles that was bestowed land in the southern area, are termed the “New nobles” by most,”

What was he trying to say? This hat the other nobles’ eyes seeive off

Tiraso Laverde continued to speak

“To the original nobles that have close ties to each others, we are weak if we continue to be fragmented Er, hence, I hereby announce the establishment of the Gaillarde Garden’s Alliance, formed by the New nobles”

Hearing these words, the audiences were in an uproar

Duke Tiraso Laverde ignored the commotion and continued

Which ed to the neutral and were an influential force

Since they have specially said it here, what conment

It was not iis could not help but tense up

Tiraso Laverde’s breathing began to quicken and his pacing was getting messy

“Er forward to the day when Prince Auguste inherit the crown… We… will fully support hi his illness… but we believe that His Highness will triuhness continues to fulfil his duty despite being ill… His action can be coenerations crown prince… Aheuste”

“Thank you for trusting in me”

Auguste appeared on the stage

This was totally a premeditated show

Auguste approached the duke and shook hand with him

“Everyone froratitude for your support, I will definitely be a great emperor, please continue to support me”

Not just the people on stage, there were even souste’s supporter, from the sound of it, there seemed to be many of them

Once the important part of the speech was over, the content behind was all concise

The Gaillarde Garden's Alliance were a group of new nobles from the southern part They were different fro nobles of the capital's outskirts that support Latreille

Which inally were neutral

They gathered, foruste’s faction

Recently, ru his duty despite his illness reached Regis’ ears

However, there were nobody raising doubts about this, hence it was likely to be true